harp on

Idioms  

1. Dwell on; talk or write about to a tedious and excessive extent. For example, She kept harping on the fact that she had no household help at all. This expression is a shortening of harp on the same string, meaning “to play the same note over and over.” It was first recorded in 1518.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

harp on

“We could harp on the fact that the 10-year Treasury yields are above 4.5%,” said Dan Morgan, senior portfolio manager at Synovus Trust.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026

People just vote the way that they vote so it’s not a thing that I harp on.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 25, 2026

The framers probably thought there was no need to harp on about the Union being perpetual.

From Salon ● Dec. 16, 2023

“Here, we don’t quit. That’s the biggest thing and what we harp on in the offseason.”

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 22, 2023

She figures it does no good to harp on mistakes in a routine that’s over and done with when I’m trying to get my head ready for the next event.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

Related Words

• dwell on
• nag